Our Paterson Youth Council Celebrates the Graduation of its 19th Class

On June 10, our Paterson Youth Council (PYC) proudly celebrated the graduation of its 19th class, a group of dedicated, driven young leaders who have spent the past year making their voices heard and creating positive change in their city.

Founded by NJCDC in 2006, our PYC is the premier leadership and civic engagement program for Paterson teens ages 15 to 18. Each year, 30 students are selected to serve as youth leaders, meeting regularly with city officials, organizing community service events, and participating in leadership development workshops, college tours, and policy discussions that give them firsthand experience in advocacy and civic life.

This year’s cohort embraced every opportunity to serve and lead. Over the past year, our PYC coordinated multiple community service projects, hosted open forums with city leaders, recognized youth changemakers in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., distributed food to neighbors in need, and even traveled to Ivy League schools in New England and to Washington, D.C.

At the graduation ceremony, NJCDC Founder & CEO Bob Guarasci — whose vision led to the creation of our PYC — addressed the graduates and their families. “The young people in this room are the future of Paterson,” he shared. “Your commitment to your city, your neighbors, and your own growth is inspiring. We created the Paterson Youth Council because we believe in you, and because this city needs you. I also want to recognize the families here today. Your support has helped shape these incredible young leaders.”

Bob was joined by PYC advisors David Gelman and Eddie Gonzalez, who offered encouragement to the graduates as they take their next steps. “Wherever you go — whether it’s to college, a career, or a new city — always remember your roots,” said David. “Paterson shaped you. I hope you carry the lessons and the love from this community with you wherever life takes you.”

One of the evening’s most heartfelt moments came when Adiba Rupa, President of this year’s Council, reflected on her NJCDC journey. From volunteering at food box distributions to working with young children at the Paterson Family Center Preschool, Adiba has made the most of every opportunity to give back. “Being part of NJCDC and the Paterson Youth Council helped me grow into the person I am today,” she said. Adiba will graduate from Passaic County Technical Institute and attend Montclair State University this fall, where she plans to double major in accounting and political science.

Fellow graduate Elianny Polanco shared how much our PYC shaped her as a young adult. Elianny, who also worked part-time at the Paterson Family Center Preschool, has blossomed into a confident public speaker and youth advocate. She will graduate from John F. Kennedy Educational Complex, and thanks to the Early College Program, she’s already earned her Associate’s Degree from Passaic County Community College. This fall, she will attend Ramapo College to study neuroscience.

In what has become a beloved PYC tradition, each graduate took the microphone to answer one final question: What does leadership mean to you? The graduates spoke about personal growth, service, and the responsibility they now feel to lift up their peers and their neighborhoods. Their answers reflected the core mission of the PYC: to empower Paterson’s young people to lead and to make a difference.

To close the evening, graduates were presented with framed certificates of achievement and stipends in recognition of their successful completion of the program.

 As Bob Guarasci reminded the graduates: “Leadership is about showing up. It’s about doing the hard work — not for attention, but because you care. And what you’ve done this year matters deeply to this city.”

Congratulations to the newest class of Paterson Youth Council graduates! We can’t wait to see where you go next, and how you continue to lead the way for Paterson.